Koirala tells House of gains made during India visit
‘Updating ties important’

BY A STAFF REPORT

Kathmandu, August 8: Prime Minister Girija Prasad Koirala has said that the Nepal-India understanding to formulate future policies on bilateral relations on the basis of the review and evaluation of the 50-year old ties is the greatest achievement of his recent India visit.

"We have agreed to make our bilateral relations timely, matured and dynamic on the basis of mutual benefits by analysing the 50-year old ties, bilateral treaties, agreements and co-operation," Koirala told both the Houses in their separate meetings today. "I have taken this as the important achievement of my India visit."

Premier Koirala had recently been to India on a weeklong official visit, which he called a ‘goodwill visit’ and a ‘confidence building mission.’

According to this agreement, a joint commission headed by foreign ministers of both the countries has been formed to make Nepal-India relations in all sectors effective and result-oriented, he said. "We have instructed our respective foreign ministers to discuss and review within six months all aspects relating to the contents of 1950 Nepal-India Treaty."

"We also agreed to form a joint secretarial level committee to exploit the vast water resources for our mutual benefits," he said. "The committee will evaluate what Nepal has to gain from the bilateral agreements on the use of water resources and present its report to both the governments. The implementation of Mahakali and Pancheshwar Treaty, Sunkoshi-Kamala Diversion and the feasibility of Saptakoshi Project also fall within the working area of this committee."

He said that he had a clear discussion with Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on the inundation of some Nepalese villages due to Laxmanpur embankment on the Indian side of the border. "The Indian Prime Minister assured me that he would make arrangements so as not to harm Nepal by any such construction on the border areas."

The Indian government has taken necessary steps to solve the problem of inundation and committed to jointly monitor the situation for preventing the problems from occurring in the future, Koirala said. "We have formed a high-level pre-information and control working group that will regularly monitor and present report on the situation."

India has lifted the four per cent Special Addition Duty imposed on the Nepalese goods exported to India, Koirala said adding that Nepal in turn has permitted Indian made vehicles, which meet the government-fixed standard of emission, to enter Nepal. The Commerce Secretaries of both the countries have been instructed to analyse and find solution to the existing problems in the implementation of Nepal-India Trade and Transit Treaty, he said.

In order to give a permanent solution to the problems in Nepal’s export, India has agreed to establish food laboratory in Raxaul and Gorakhpur and to expand the capacity of such laboratories in Nepal, he said.

The Nepal-India border joint technical committee has been instructed to complete by 2002/3 all the border-related issues, including Kalapani, and solve such problems on the basis of available written documents.

"Both of us have committed to check trans-border terrorism and not to let our respective territories be used against each other’s interest and integrity," Koirala said. "The respective Home Secretaries and the open border monitoring working group have been instructed to discourage such activities."

Govt firm to develop culture, languages of communities: DPM

Kathmandu, Aug 8 (RSS): Deputy Prime Minister And Minister For Local Development Ram Chandra Paudel tabled a motion seeking consideration of the Nationalities Upliftment National Academy Bill-2057 At The National Assembly meeting today.

Responding to questions posed by MPs during discussion on the motion, Deputy Prime Minister Paudel said the government is to bring the bill for the social and economic uplift of the impoverished classes, the women, dalits and nationalities.

He said the government is committed to the development of languages and culture of all the communities, adding that the academy will be constituted under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister with the representation of all the nationalities and that suggestions of MPs will be accepted with serious thought.

MPs taking part in the discussion on the motion were Bijul Kumar Biswokarma, Surendra Pandey, Jiwan Prem Shrestha, Balaram Ghartimagar, Laghudhan Rai, Mahendra Kumar Mishra, Kedar Neupane, Komal Ghale, Kaiya Chaudhari, Shukra Raj Sharma, Shukra Raj Sanyok, Thammaya Thapa, Bachaspati Devkota, Shanta Manavi, Lal Bahadur Biswokarma, Ram Chandra Bhattarai And Devendra Ghimire.

Minister for Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs Mahantha Thakur presented the annual report of the Attorney General of the Kingdom of Nepal for the year 2055/ 56 B.S. at today’s meeting of the National Assembly.

At the meeting, Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya presented the 37th annual report-2057 of the auditor general as ordered by His Majesty the King.

Similarly, chairman of the Government Assurances Committee Mrs Shilupyari Mulmi Karmacharya presented the Government Assurances Committee report-2057.

At the meeting, the Medicine (Second Amendment ) Bill-2057 and the Martyr Gangalal National Heart Centre Bill-2057 which originated and was passed by the House of Representatives were also tabled along with a message.

Soon after the start of the National Assembly meeting today, CPN-UML’s Kedar Prasad Neupane extended heartfelt condolences to the bereaved family of musician Prabin Gurung who was hit to death by the pajero of His Royal Highness Paras Shah.

Mr Neuapne demanded that the government inform the parliament of the facts about the incident.

Jeevan Prem Shrestha of the Nepali Congress denounced the kidnapping of NC worker Tularam Dahal in Gorkha district by the Maoists from his own house.

RPP’s Balaram Ghartimagar spoke of the need for His Majesty’s Government to become serious about the demands of the employees of financial institutions and public undertakings who are on strike for the last week or so and to inform the house of the loss of life and property in various parts of the country due to landslides and floods triggered by heavy downpours.

Surendra Prasad Pandey of CPN-UML denounced the accident involving the death of famous singer/musician Prabin Gurung and demanded that the Home Minister inform the House of the incident, while Gaura Koirala of the same party spoke of the need for the government to meet the genuine demands of the employees of financial institutions and public undertakings.

NC’s Omkar Prasad Shrestha complained that the government has not taken any initiative to clear the debris caused by landslides along the Tribhuwan Highway.

Mr Shrestha demanded actions against the persons, no matter whoever they are, who are involved in the killing of musician Prabin Gurung.

Shanta Manavi of the CPN-UML called on the government to fulfill the 11-point demand of the striking employees.

NC’s Ganga Dutta Joshi expressed condolences to the families of those who fell victim to the floods and landslides triggered by the recent heavy rainfall and demanded proper treatment.

Shukraraj Sharma of nc noted that the killing of the famous singer and musician is a challenge to the rule of law and the constitution and demanded that the Home Minister should inform the house of whether any investigation is going on or any action has been taken against the guilty.

CPN-UML’s Goma Devkota complained that the government is silent on the massive loss of life and property in Mahottari, Dhanusha, Sindhuli and Sarlahi districts due to heavy rainfall.

NC’s Arvind Thakur also demanded truth about the death of famous singer and musician Prabin Gurung.

Ram Chandra Bhattarai of CPN-UML observed that the government should tackle the problems of striking employees sympathetically.

Meanwhile, the meeting of the National Assembly today passed the Nepal Health Service (Second Amendment) Bill-2057 B.S.

The proposal seeking its approval by the house was presented by Health Minister Dr Rambaran Yadav.

Earlier, responding to queries raised during discussion on the bill, Health Minister dr yadav said the amendment proposal was presented taking into consideration the compulsion of recruiting on a temporary basis the junior level technical employees working in the health sector.

MPs Surendra Prasad Pandey, Bachaspati Devkota, Kashinath Adhikari, Chanda Shaha and Jagannath Poudel took part in the discussion.

Likewise, the meeting also approved the proposal seeking return to the Lower House the bill designed to amend Some Nepal Act-2057 B.S.

The proposal was presented by Finance Minister Mahesh Acharya.

Earlier, a proposal for amendment on the bill presented by CPN-UML’s Bachaspati Devkota was unanimously disapproved.

Repyling questions raised during discussion on the bill, Finance Minister Acharya said that the lease forest under the agriculture sector has been proposed to keep it tax free, timely improvement have been made in the income tax administration and that the facilities being enjoyed by civil servants has not be deducted.

MPs Bachaspati Devkota, Surendra Prasad Pandey, Gaura Koirala and Devraj Ghimire took part in the discussion.

At the meeting today, chairman Dr. Mohammad Mohsin read out a letter received from the Royal Palace regarding the dismissal of Khum Bahadur Khadka from the post of Minister for Water Resources and works and Physical Planning.

The National Assembly will meet again at 12 noon tomorrow.

Transavia’s flights boost tourism industry’s hopes

BY NAVIN SINGH KHADKA

Kathmandu, Aug. 8: If lean season is already here, can the brisk season be far away? An optimism, travel-traders are cherishing just when they are braving the chill of the ongoing dry season.

But, something more is coming up this time to keep tourism entrepreneurs smiling. Come September, and the country will see more tourists from Europe — the prime market of the national tourism industry. Here is how: Transavia Airlines has decided to double its frequency — from once to twice a week — between Kathmandu and Amsterdam beginning next month.

That means the Dutch airlines will annually bring in 28,000 visitors — two times more than what it has been bringing since 1998 when it began flying in. Given its above 90 per cent occupancy in the last two years, Transavia’s additional flight looks much promising.

The United Kingdom and Germany are other European destinations topping the list of Nepalese tourism markets.

At the face of it, Transavia’s doubled flight may appear just as another corporate decision of a commercial operation. But, for a tourist destination like Nepal, it is more than that.

Business decision apart, Transavia’s doubled flight is an endorsement to Nepal’s immense potential as a holiday-paradise. This, at a time when Nepal has to compete with new tourist-destinations in and around the region.

Backing Transavia’s confidence on Nepalese market is a convinced biggest Dutch tour operator — OAD Reizen — in Amsterdam. This was the operator that played a catalyst role to make Transavia begin its inbound flights since 1998. Then it was the same operator that started flying in chartered Boeing 757 of Transavia.

Two years down the line, Transavia has decided to fly in one scheduled flight in a week. In the other flight, OAD Reizen will still guarantee the occupancy for 120 seats. Transavia will continue flying in a 215-seater Boeing with all economy class configuration.

"The confidence of both Transavia and OAD Reizen shows that the Dutch airline is here to stay," says an assured Subodh Rana, Managing Director of Marcopolo Travels, Transavia’s authorised sales agent in Kathmandu.

Increased flight-frequency aside, there are fresh indications from Transavia Headquarters suggesting it is serious on doing business in the Kathmandu-Amsterdam route. Unlike its schedule till last May, it has rescheduled its take off time from Kathmandu at 9:30 in the evening after arriving at 12:30 in the afternoon.

In its previous schedule, the Dutch Airline used to take off from here at 3:30 PM and reach the Schiphul Airport in Amsterdam at two A.M. "The arrival time in Amsterdam was an odd one and it was also difficult to handle transit passengers," said Rana.

Under the revised schedule, Transavia will reach its passengers to the Dutch capital at 5:45 a.m.

And, that is not all. Transavia, a subsidiary of the KLM Airlines, has changed its business policy — yet another encouraging signal for travel- traders here. It plans to increase its scheduled flights to 70 per cent from its previous 30 per cent mark.

That way the component of chartered flights will come down from its previous record of 70 per cent to 30 per cent.

Travel traders have one more reason to toast cheers on Transavia’s growing interest in Nepalese market. The airline is also beginning its chartered flights to two Indian cities — Agra and Goa — beginning November this year. This means, the airline has even begun to focus in the region.

Equally serious has been the focus in Nepal. When it began its chartered flights of Transavia into Nepal, OAD Reizen prepared a 62-paged brochure introducing Nepal to its clients. "The brochure has been successful to rope in tourists," says Rana.

That is the reason why the Dutch tour operator is all set to prepare the brochure for the fourth time. With Dutch travellers as its main target, the Dutch Tour Operator has been mostly successful to bring in young Hollanders.

Now that OAD Reizen, in its brochure, is trying to introduce several touristic spots across the Kingdom for tourists seeking relaxation, more upper class tourists are expected from Holland.

Meantime, Marcopolo Travels is already out to convince Transavia Headquarters to operate into Nepal during the dry season — from May to September.

If that happens, travel traders will be even more optimistic — even during the lean season.

Exporters pin hopes on Harrogate carpet fair

BY A STAFF REPORTER

Kathmandu, Aug. 8: Nepalese carpet exporters are keenly waiting to display their products made out of the blending of British and Tibetan wool at the Harrogate carpet fair in the U.K., Britain’s biggest carpet fair from September 5 to 7.

Nepalese exporters are hopeful that their participation in the fair would open up new market avenues thereby boosting the existing carpet export to the U.K.

Nepal’s carpet exports to different countries amounted to 142 million US $ in the fiscal year 1999-2000 and it has a major contribution to the foreign currency earnings of the country. When looking at the countrywise share, exports to UK is only 2.1 per cent amounting to US $ 52 thousand.

The Kathmandu based British Embassy, British Wool Marketing Board (BWMB), Nepal Britain Chambers of Commerce and Industry (NBCCI) and the Central Carpet Industries Association (Nepal) have joined hands to promote Nepalese carpets woven from British and Tibetan wool in the UK.

The venture is being sponsored by the BWMB, which donated 400 Kg of British wool to the Nepalese manufacturers. The BWMB will display the 24 carpets of the different designs on a dedicated stand at the Harrogate fair.

The promoters have met at regular intervals at the British Embassy, together with the carpet manufacturers. The planning and preparation has included a web site to market and promote the carpets (www.nepalcarpets-uk.com), at promotional brochure featuring the carpets, and a powerpoint presentation to be delivered by representatives of the CCIA, NBCCI and Embassy in Harrogate. Minister for Commerce and Industry Ram Krishna Tamrakar inaugurated the promotional mission for Nepalese carpets at the British Embassy today.

"I am hopeful that the Nepalese carpet manufacturers will be able to attract a large number of customers at the Harrogate fair and will set the stage for promoting Nepalese carpets in the UK," Tamrakar told the press.

He said though the carpet industry is one of the major contributors to the foreign exchange reserve in Nepal, the country has not been able to produce wool to support the industry despite the congenial climate.

"We are looking forward to produce wool in Nepal with the technical assistance of the British government," Tamrakar said.

British Ambassador to Nepal, Ronald P. Nash said the carpets prepared by the Nepalese manufacturers would go forward shortly to the Harrogate Floor Covering and Furnishing Fair in the United Kingdom in September, where there will be a special stand mounted at the initiative and expense of the BWMB, dedicated to Nepalese carpets.

Nash said after the fair closes, the collection will be kept for subsequent international display.

"The collaboration between these various parties, and the prospect of two-way advantage to our bilateral trade, has provoked considerable interest in the UK and we are expecting to see important reports appearing in the Financial Times, the Telegraph and the Yorkshire Post to coincide with the Harrogagte Fair," the British envoy said.

President of the Nepal Britain Chambers of Commerce and Industry Rajendra K. Khetan said that the project had been undertaken to promote the British wool in Nepal and also to increase the export of Nepalese carpets in the UK.

President of the Central Carpet Industries Association (CCIA) A.G. Sherpa said the test trials showed that the British Wool could be used to produce high quality carpets.

He said that the collaborative efforts to the NBCCI and CCIA should be given continuity in order to promote Nepalese carpets in Britain as well as other countries.

Paddy crop destroyed by flooding in Dhanusha

Janakpur, Aug 8 (RSS): The paddy crop cultivated on thousands of bigah of land in Dhanusa district, famous for its agricultural production, has been completely destroyed by flooding this year.

Over 50 villages have been badly affected by flooding in a number of rivers in the district including The Kamala, Vimala, Jaladh and Jamuni triggered by incessant rainfall since the last couple of days.

Sigyahi madan and lacked, two VDCs in the constituency No 1, have been isolated from the rest of the district while some houses at Purendehiya have been inundated. Boats are being used for transport.

With the problem of inundation and flooding, the farmers here are a disappointed lot this time also.

Last year, they had faced a similar problem of flooding that occurred during the harvest season and damaged the standing paddy extensively.

They are now worried about the repayment of loan they took from the local merchants for their crop cultivation.

A number of VDCs in constituency No 1 adjoining Madhuvani district of India have been greatly affected by the flooding this time. These include Sigyahi Madan, Khajuri Mahuwa, Lakkar, Chorokayalpur, Harite, Inaruwa, Balha Katal, Gothakoyalpur, Hattipur, Hadwad and Dhabouli.

Chakkar, Baphai, Aurahi, Deuri Parawaha, Pharaiya, Makhanaha, Govindapur, Parashahi and Godar in constituency No 2 and Poudeswar and Janakpurdham in constituency No 3 are other VDCs grappling with the problem of flooding.

The railway line has sunk into ground at about five points at Parawaha and the service has been halted, it is stated by the Janakpur railway office.

According to the district administration office, over 50 out of 101 VDCs in the district with 62,500 hectares of arable land have been affected by the flooding and work on tallying the loss has started.

The paddy crop in the district, equivalent to Rs. 528 million in value, was damaged in 2055 B.S. also due to disease.

Agricultural workers were compelled to set out for the capital as well as Panjab and Hariyana in India last year in search of work since they were rendered jobless due to the destruction of paddy by flooding.

I have to bear the loss of the paddy crop on about 2 bigah of land acquired from various person on a share-cropping basis. I am besieged with anxieties as to how to repay loans and support my family through the year, farmer of Chakkar VDC Jivadh Mandal said.

Relief has not yet been provided to people who are facing problems of food and shelter, headmaster at Shakar Janata Highschool Jagadishwar Mahato complained.

At present, the grave problem facing the people of this district is flooding which has surfaced due to lack of river control, irrigation facilities and ditches for flood water, local intellectual Laxmi Prasad Suman said.

A meeting of the natural calamity relief committee held under the chairmanship of CDO Tana Gautam has decided to arrange for 6 boats to reach people of the affected VDCs and distribute relief material in a smooth manner, it is learnt from the district administration office.

Ten quintals of beaten rice and one quintal of Shakhkhar have been despatched as relief to Sigyahi Madan and Lakkar VDCs, CDO Gautam said.